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Update: VODA 4th Annual Technology Showcase!
Register today to attend one of the largest technology showcases in the Okanagan. - Click Here to register!
YOU ASKED FOR MICROSOFT! SO WE DELIVERED!
Special Guest: Ian Watson
Ian J. Watson, CISSP
Senior Technology Specialist
Microsoft Canada
Ian Watson has been designing and deploying enterprise solutions in the private and public sectors for over 20 years. As a Senior Technology Specialist at Microsoft, Ian represents Microsoft’s Core Infrastructure products and works with partners and customers across Western Canada. In this role Ian works with the Virtualization, Server, Systems Center, and Forefront product teams at Microsoft who are building exciting software and services to meet the needs of customers. Specifically, Ian ensures that customers and partners realize the full extent of Microsoft’s vision and value proposition for Core Infrastructure products.
Watson joined Microsoft in early 2006. His background is as a security and infrastructure consultant, but he combines this experience with a strong focus on strategic business execution. Drawing on experience in the Financial, Retail, and Telecom industries, Ian enjoys taking an objective and pragmatic approach to solutions architecture using Microsoft technology. As a subject matter expert in Microsoft Virtualization, Management, and Security solutions Ian is frequently called upon to present at many Microsoft events.
Ian Watson will be presenting on:
Maximum Agility - Helping to reduce costs while maximizing efficiency with your core software foundation
The strength of a house depends on a solid foundation. The strength of a business depends on a solid core IT infrastructure. An optimized core infrastructure can help minimize maintenance costs, maximize IT resources, and enable the business to run with steadfast agility. Security, performance, and the ability to provide reliable Microsoft Windows-based platform services are closely tied to system managing and monitoring.
In this session, we will look at the key infrastructure enhancements that are now available, along with some specifics around new capabilities and offerings that end users can take advantage of to optimize resources.
We'll discuss:
- Building a roadmap towards core software foundation optimization.
- The role virtualization plays in IT cost and productivity goals, along with optimal virtualization scenarios.
- System management and security capabilities that can help manage, protect, and secure your environment in an optimized manner.
- Best practices in establishing a cost-effective and highly productive core software infrastructure.
Keynote Speaker: Frank Morassutti
(IBM)
About Frank Morassutti
Entering 35th year with IBM
- Graduate of Ryerson University (Electronic Engineering / Computer Design)
- Worked in Datacenter Operations and became manager of Operations staff in 1978
- Managed a team of 22 employees
- Operations manager and Technical Lead for IBM s/370 Datacenter (Toronto)
- Moved into technical role with Datacenter Securities Branch until 1989
- Became S/36, S/38, AS/400 product specialist
- Promoted to Lead Systems Engineer for PC Company in 1989 then transitioned as Server Specialist when PC Company split into 3 groups
- Assumed team lead for 12 System x FTSS (technical staff)
- Held technical Brand role until 2001 where I became System x Technology Advocate
- Current title: Manager Business Development, System x Servers
- Role/Responsibilities:
- National System x Advocate
- Briefing and Presentations on System x product and directions
- Input future server requirements to US development
- Act as liaison for technical community in Canada and Caribbean District
- Provide technical guidance to System x Brand team
- Engage in regular sales activities when needed
- Instructor for IBM TOP GUN program with WW assignments
- Media and Professional Speaker certifications
- Accomplishments:
- 15 * 100% clubs
- 12 Special Team Awards
- 2 * Presidents Awards
- 2 * Innovative Technology Design Awards
Obtained IBM Technical I/T Certification in 1996
Frank will be speaking on IBM's Smarter Planet
Building a Smarter Planet
Building a smarter planet is IBM's point of view on how interconnected technologies are changing the way the world literally works.
That is, the systems and processes that enable: physical goods to be developed, manufactured, bought and sold; services to be delivered; everything from people and money to oil, water and electrons to move; and billions of people to work, govern themselves and live.
The world is smaller and flatter and more interconnected through forces such as free trade, the Internet and the arrival of globalization.
EMC provides the technologies and tools that can help you release the power of your information. We can help you design, build, and manage flexible, scalable, and secure information infrastructures. And with these infrastructures, you'll be able to intelligently and efficiently store, protect, and manage your information so that it can be made accessible, searchable, shareable, and, ultimately, actionable. You can also use EMC information infrastructure as the foundation for implementing your information lifecycle management strategies, securing your critical information assets, leveraging your content for competitive advantage, automating your data center operations, reducing power and cooling costs, and more. In short, with an information infrastructure, you can avoid the potentially serious risks and reduce the significant costs associated with managing information, while fully exploiting its value for business advantage.
Industry Leadership
Quantum offers the industry’s broadest range of backup, recovery and archive solutions, providing performance and value across a wide range of industry sectors. The company has the most comprehensive portfolio of disk-based backup and de-duplication/replication solutions, is the #1 provider of tape automation, and is a long-standing leader in tape drives and media. In addition, Quantum’s data management software is an industry-leading technology for shared workflow and intelligent archiving in high-performance, long-term storage environments. The company’s service offerings include a complete range of coverage options to provide the right level of support for the widest possible range of IT environments.
The “Go-To” Company for Backup, Recovery and Archive Solutions
Quantum’s broad range of products meets the storage needs of organizations of all sizes, from Global 2000 enterprises to small businesses and remote offices. In addition, Quantum has developed solutions specifically tailored to meet the needs of government agencies, media and entertainment companies, educational institutions, science and engineering firms, and financial services corporations.
Quantum has the global scale and proven track record to provide a comprehensive portfolio of solutions for securely storing, managing, protecting, replicating and recovering business-critical data. The company’s award-winning disk, tape, media and software solutions deliver data integrity and availability along with superior value and support from a world-class sales and service organization.
Aastra globally develops and markets open standard IP-based and traditional communication networking products, systems and solutions. Aastra’s products comprise a full range of VoIP solutions including communications servers, gateways, telephone terminals and advanced software applications for small and medium businesses, as well as enterprise markets. Whether connecting to colleagues around the country or around the world, Aastra offers a variety of best-in-class technologies to improve your communications.
What is a Netbook?
Netbook computers have been steadily growing in popularity since they were recently introduced to the market. Netbooks are currently among the top five selling laptop computers. The demand for a portable, affordable computer with features comparable to the traditional laptop is helping to fuel the success of the netbook computer.
Netbooks are Mini-Laptop Computers
A netbook is a mini-laptop computer designed for mobility and ease-of-use, featuring wireless Internet capability and word-processing applications. Netbooks weigh between two to three pounds and have a screen size ranging between six to ten inches. Netbook computers are extremely affordable, with prices averaging between $300 - $500.
Because of their small size, netbook computers are ideal for people on-the-go who want Internet connectivity without the need to carry a larger, heavier full-sized laptop. Netbooks are generally not meant to replace the the more powerful laptop computers, but rather to act as a portable alternative. Netbooks are especially useful companions for students and frequent travellers.
Netbook Computer Uses
Netbooks have a wide variety of applications, and are being used for business, entertainment, and communication. Popular uses include contact, calendar, and task management, blog posting, surfing the internet, listening to music, and sending e-mail, IMs, or making VoIP calls using Skype or similar software.
One of the most popular netbooks is the Lenovo s10e. This netbook is one of the best seller netbook. Mobile users prefer Lenovo IdeaPad S10e Netbook because it’s lightness (less than 1,2 kg), design and features. It has got a 10,1 inch LED backlit screen and designed as a lightweight mobile PC for customers in all segments.
VODA Tip
Add Watermarks to Your Word Documents
Watermarks are text or pictures that appear behind the text. They can add interest or identify the document's status, marking a document as a draft, for example. You can use graphics or text as watermarks and, with Word 2002, adding a watermark to a document is easier than ever.
To add a watermark to a printed document:
On the Format menu, point to Background, and then click Printed Watermark. Do one of the following:
To insert a picture as a watermark, click Picture watermark, and then click Select Picture. Select the picture you want, and then click Insert.
To insert a text watermark, click Text watermark, and then select or enter the text you want.
Select any additional options you want, and then click Apply.
To view a watermark as it will appear on the printed page, click Print Layout on the View menu.
Quote of the Month
To err is human, but to really foul things up you need a computer.
— Paul Ehrlich
Product of the Month - Asus EeeBox PC B 202
Easy to Learn, Work and Play
Excellent Internet Device
Exciting Multimedia Enjoyment
The Eee Box is a mini desktop PC with huge possibilities. Since the Eee Box only requires around 20 watts of power, your carbon footprint is reduced by 90% compared to a standard PC. With a slim svelte design, the world’s smallest desktop PC allows an array of space saving options. Plus, it’s so easy to use. The simple intuitive interface lets inexperienced users get started right away. Enjoy easy living with the eclectic, efficient and eco-friendly Eee Box.
| Energy Efficient, Earth-loving Pixie |
• Small — only 1L
• Easy to mount on any LCD monitor*
• Save up to 90% in energy consumption
• 7 seconds boot time** with Express Gate
• High speed connectivity
• Barely audible — only 26 decibels |
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Give a VODA sales representative a call for more info!
Ask the VODA Expert
Q: How do I re-format my hard drive so that there is no old data left behind?
A: Re-formatting you computer must be done property. Windows (all versions), and even MS-DOS before it, has the option to perform what's called a "quick format". In reality, a quick format does very little except create an empty root directory on the hard disk and possibly add a label. The rest of the disk is actually assumed to be properly formatted already and left alone. That's why it's quick.
And that's why it's insecure. Since the rest of the disk is left untouched, any data that may already have been there will remain. Many commonly available disk recovery tools will be able to recover data from a "quick" formatted disk.
So the basic and common answer is to reformat the disk, making sure to specify unconditional format. Depending on the version of Windows or MS-DOS you have, that's typically a FORMAT /U at the command line, or making sure that Perform a Quick Format is not checked when using disk management tools.
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